From the Shadows, a Title Emerges…

Behind-the-scenes on how I chose my title for my fantasy debut

I have the green light to share the title of my YA fantasy novel.

I can’t explain the amount of work it has taken to get to this point. I’m so grateful for my husband’s pep talks, my publisher taking on my book, the encouragement of friends, the critiques and cheers of my writing groups, and my mother-in-law’s help with babysitting so I could meet my editing deadline. It takes a community to bring a book into the world and I know I’m richly blessed in mine.

Are you ready to learn the title?

Thieves of Time and Tempests will hit the shelves May 26, 2026!

A friend of mine asked for the story behind the title, so I thought I’d share a little more about that today. I’d actually queried the novel under a different title. I won’t share the old title here, but if you’re tossing and turning in bed at 3 a.m. going what was it? what WAS it? Feel free to send me a private message and I’ll be happy to give you the information to cure your insomnia.

Even during the querying process, I wasn’t particularly attached to the original title and questioned its marketability. But, as I’ve shared in the past, naming things (even this newsletter) is super hard for me. Overthinking things? Perfectionism, perhaps? I’m unsure why something so small trips me up so often. Anyway. I shared my concerns about the title with my publisher during a meeting last winter and was encouraged to find something that fit the book but also felt exciting to me.

So, I opened the notes app on my phone and played around with different ideas. I came up with over thirty titles and sent my top five to my publisher. We agreed this one had a certain je ne sais quoi, and the rest is history.

In case you didn’t see my video reveal on Instagram, I’m attaching it here. The art (by Micheline Ryckman and Seaborn Studios) is of my trio Iago, Taran, and Isla who start out as reluctant allies but quickly become BFFs. Because when the most notorious gang in the city wants you dead, and then these people you barely know show up and hit thugs on the head with rusty pipes, you kind of can’t help but give that a thumbs up.

It’s a WWI inspired fantasy tale with fist fights, a magic system I promise you’ve not seen before, a villain who has a point, and a war they are trying to end. It’s the ultimate adventure read and you’ll get to see the cover this winter.

A few people have been asking if I’m assembling a Hype Team and the answer is—YES! I’ll send out a sign up form when I get the blurb finalized. In the meantime, if you’re interested in helping THIEVES OF TIME AND TEMPESTS launch into the world, and get seen by potential readers, feel free to message me ahead of time. Nothing warms my heart more than hearing that others are excited about this book too.

What is your favorite book title? If you’re an author, how did you pick your book’s title?

Light,

Bethany